Dearborn, Mich. – An exciting new project for Ford Motor Company is among the top Midwest construction and design efforts in 2020.
Ford’s Driving Dynamics Lab (DDL) is among 32 entries in 18 categories that are named to Engineering News-Record’s Midwest Best Projects, awards and in-depth features on the project will come later in 2020.
Dave Green, Assistant Vice President of Operations for Walbridge, said the two-phased project was a success because of the integrated team approach utilized on the project by Ford, Albert Kahn and Walbridge.
“This challenging project is a testament to the continued partnership with Ford Motor Company and Albert Kahn,” Green said. “The lab building, with its multiple functions, was constructed on a small site in the middle of on-going owner vehicle testing operations. Flexibility and coordination was a must for our team – we’re extremely proud of the end result for Walbridge’s long-time customer, Ford.”
As the construction manager, Walbridge worked alongside Ford and Albert Kahn Associates, Inc., the architect/engineer of record on the project.
The (DDL) building is a multi-functional building that houses a broad range of vehicle testing labs, a full garage and shop space, as well as collaborative workspaces and cafes for employees across campus. Located trackside at Ford Motor Company’s Dearborn Development Center, this 210,000 sq. ft. facility is the result of tremendous collaboration between owner, architect, and contractors to coordinate highly complex process equipment and laboratory equipment into a building that serves multiple departments and programs.
The project was completed in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Walbridge (www.walbridge.com) is a privately held, top-50 construction company that services the Americas, founded in Detroit in 1916. Walbridge has been ranked No. 1 in automotive facility construction 16 out of the last 18 years by the Engineering News-Record. The company offers construction management, design-build, general contracting and related services for customers in a broad range of fields including automotive, aviation, commercial, education, industrial manufacturing, mission critical, power and energy, and water/waste water. Walbridge employs 1,000 professionals committed to sustainable construction and maintaining injury-free workplaces.